Software testing is a time-consuming procedure with many steps. However, unit testing is an essential phase in the software development process since it assures that only the best product reaches the end-user. In addition, unit testing is a technique for determining if programs and apps match the needs of their customers.
It is important to ensure no issues arise when the final product is made available to clients. Individual modules are run to check for problems during software unit testing. If you are new to scripting, then here is a step-by-step guide to Python scripting for absolute beginners. This article will focus on which tools are using for unit test in python development and the best Python testing tools for developers.
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Why is unit testing important in Python development?
The primary goal of unit testing is to guarantee that each component functions properly and as intended. Only if the individual pieces are in good operating order can the complete system function properly. The software developers themselves undertake unit testing. Independent software testers sometimes carry out these tests.
Adjustments to the existing design and code are inevitable when adding new features to any software. This can be costly and dangerous. Furthermore, using the unit testing technique may save time, allowing the complete process to run more smoothly.
Thus, unit testing improves code quality dramatically. In addition, it assists developers in identifying the tiniest faults that may exist in units before integration testing.
In addition, unit testing aids in the early detection of a wide range of software faults. Before moving further, software engineers can address those issues first. The key benefit of handling errors early using unit testing is that no other software parts are affected later in the project. This results in more efficiency, less downtime, and lower expenses than would otherwise be incurred if the entire design process.
What is PyScripter?
PyScripter began as a lightweight IDE designed to supplement the excellent Python for Delphi (P4D) components by providing a robust scripting solution for Delphi applications (visit this link to download Pyscripter). Thanks to the cooperation of P4D developer Morgan Martinez and a few early users, it has now grown into a full-featured stand-alone Python IDE. It’s written in Delphi with P4D and the SynEdit component, but it may be extended with Python scripts. Moreover, it has a modern user interface and is presently only available for Microsoft Windows. In addition, PyScripter was designed using a compiled language. This makes its graphics faster than those of some other IDEs. Furthermore, it includes a wide range of capabilities that make it a productive Python programming environment.
Furthermore, with PyScripter, many Python IDEs are readily available. And there are a lot of nice ones, such as Spyder, SPE, and Eric3, not to mention IDLE, which comes with the standard Python distribution. So it’s understandable to wonder why to bother developing yet another Python IDE. The quick explanation is that it’s just for fun! The long answer is the need to produce a Python IDE that can compete with commercial Windows-based IDEs for other languages. PyScripter has many features that this article can’t cover, so we recommend that you visit this article here to learn more.
Why should developers use PyScripter for unit testing?
PyScripter, in the eyes of many developers, is one of the greatest Python IDEs available today. Its main features include a syntax highlighting editor, Python interpreter, debugger, project manager, and more. However, the most notable feature is that PyScripter has native support for integrated unit testing. Moreover, it has established itself as one of the best Python testing tools for software development among Python developers.
PyScripter ensures automatic test generation, allowing you to perform automated unit testing. This IDE also includes a fantastic unit testing GUI. Moreover, its unit tests window offers an advanced graphical user interface for running unit tests, a standard Python module. Check out the official documentation for more information.
Refresh and Run are two of the most significant toolbar commands on this window.
PyScripter’s unit tests from the currently active module are loaded by refreshing the unit test window. It’s worth noting that this requires you to import the module into the integrated interpreter. After loading a module, use the offered tree view to choose (check) the tests you want to execute. Double-clicking on the name of a test or a test class will send you to the test method or class declaration in the source code.
Run is simple to use because it executes the selected tests. The color next to the test in the tree view indicates its status after running. For example, green denotes success, purple denotes assertion failure, and red represents a Python exception (i.e., any other error). Right below the tree view is the aggregate statistics, and you can read information about the mistakes that occurred by clicking on the failed tests.
Which other Python tools offer unit testing?
Apart from PyScripter, there are many other Python testing tools available in the market, but none can rival the capabilities of PyScipter. Let’s take a look at which tools are using for unit test in python development:
Robot Framework (RF)
Robot Framework (RF) is an open-source acceptance testing, acceptance test-driven development (ATDD), and robotic process automation framework (RPA). Its core is written in Python, but it’s also compatible with Jython (a Java implementation of Python) and IronPython (Python for .NET framework). Python version 2.7.14 or higher is required to run it.
RF uses KDT (Keyword-driven testing), allowing us to easily create test cases using human-readable keywords (no coding experience required). RF supports all operating systems (Windows, Linux, and macOS) and applications (web, mobile, and desktop apps). In addition, it provides HTML reporting data that is easy to understand (including screenshots). With a rich ecosystem and numerous APIs, it is a highly extensible framework that can be integrated with virtually any third-party tool.
However, RF does not have built-in support for Parallel testing. Moreover, It forces you to work according to a predetermined methodology, resulting in a very high learning curve. Additionally, it is challenging to customize reports.
RF is the solution for you if you want to implement a keyword-driven framework approach that allows manual testers and business analysts to create automation tests. It comes with various extensions and libraries and is simple to use. However, due to RF’s inability to support various adjustments, PyScripter becomes the best alternative.
TestProject
TestProject is a completely free automation framework that includes cloud and local HTML reports. With the Python open-source SDK and TestProject, you can quickly develop test automation for mobile, web, or generic purposes. It requires Python 3.6 or later, as well as the Pytest and Unittest frameworks.
TestProject generates a Single Agent executable. This allows the integration of all third-party libraries required to run and develop test automation for mobile, web, and generic tests. Furthermore, it generates free Automatic reports in HTML/PDF format and provides access to execution history via a RESTful API. Moreover, TestProject consists of a built-in runner and reporting feature, as well as support for Mac, Linux, Windows, and Docker.
However, because the TestProject agent can only run one test at a time, you’ll need to use Docker Agents for parallel testing. Furthermore, many features enabled as part of the hybrid cloud are unavailable when working offline. In contrast to the seamless collaboration on the hybrid cloud, you will need to implement collaboration independently. This allows you to save tests on a shared network drive/git. Furthermore, with TestProject, it is also challenging to set up and configure across multiple browsers.
Conclusively, if you’re looking for a single framework to handle all your unit tests, PyScripter is the one for you. It’s also great for teams with a range of skill levels, from beginners to experienced automation experts.
Are you ready to write unit tests using PyScripter?
I hope this article was able to help you understand what unit testing is. PyScripter’s features make it the best among other Python testing tools. As you learn more and your application grows, you should keep to PyScripter and leverage its advanced features more.
